Youth Ministry Sherpas

Most of us got into youth ministry for the students. Then we found out we had to work with parents, too. That can be challenging and intimidating. Of course, it doesn't take long to realize this is critically important if we want to succeed in youth ministry. Even for younger youth workers, how can we earn the respect of parents and consider them our allies? We, Steve and Mathew, haven't always been great at that, but now that we are not only parents ourselves but nearly finished parenting teens altogether, we finally figured out a few ways to do things a little better.That's what we talk about in today's episode. We suggest five ways that might be helpful. They are pretty obvious, but not easy to do. By being trustworthy, being a good communicator, being responsive, being professional, and celebrating students, we can make our ministry more effective, make our lives easier, and make our parents happier. With longevity as the goal, we might even last until we have finished our own parenting journey.This is th

The Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast is back!It was a good summer for us. After putting out of a ton of content over the past 16 months, we admit we were a bit fried and in need of a little break. Actually, we took a full-on break, as Steve was off for a 10-week sabbatical, completely out of touch with church life, youth ministry, and podcasting. In fact, his disappearance was so complete that he also did not use any social media the entire time away. That experience provided the backdrop for this episode, our first new one of the fall. In this episode, we talk candidly about how our social media and ministry life intersect. How do we handle multiple accounts? What kind of content do we post on each? If somebody was new to our church or looking at us as representatives of Christianity, what would they think? What does our social media say about us? And how do we control our own use of social media so that we aren't constantly comparing ourselves, bogging ourselves down in everybody's stuff, and diving into the

No man (or woman, or youthworker) is an island.For us (Mathew and Steve), this whole podcast idea was born out of our friendship, which began when we met through our local youth network. In the 15 years since Mathew responded to Steve's cheesy flyer invitation to come and pray (as described in Episode 00), we've benefited in incalculable ways from the mutual encouragement and support we've found through our network. We've gone to conferences together, hung out around the campfire, swapped stories for hours on end, and seen each other through some tough times. These are the relationships that have kept us in the game for all these years. We wouldn't have made it this far without each other.Fifteen years after that first meeting, we still gather every month with our local youth worker tribe to pray for the students in our area.So it's fitting that episode 54 (which we meant to release in May but never finished) is about networking. We recorded it at the Youth Leader Summit in New Jersey, where we were hanging o

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter Z is for ZAWSTERENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter Y is for YOUNGENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase t

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter X is for XENODOCHYENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phra

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter W is for WAWAENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter V is for VALEDICTORYENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the ph

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter U is for UPTOWNENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter T is for TABANIDENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter S is for SCHIZO-GENESISENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter R is for ROOMENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter Q is for QUALMENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase t

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter P is for PUGILISTICENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phr

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter O is for OPTIMISTICENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phr

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter N is for NASCENTENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter M is for MEDICALENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter L is for LAMENTENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter K is for KLEENEXENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!The Letter J is for JARGONTim Hawkins on PrayerENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phra